General Information
Master of Arts in Teaching in Early Childhood and Elementary Education
Early Childhood (Age 3 - Grade 4) / Elementary (Grade 3 - 8)
Admission Information
Applications will be accepted until February 15th, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.. To obtain the application click on "Application and Program Forms" on the side bar.
Advising
Answers your questions about what you should be taking in your undergraduate degree in order to successfully show competence in key subject areas for the MAT. Jessica Buhrle is the MAT Early Childhood/Elementary Advisor, click on her name to get her contact information.
Students must show the following, all of which are detailed in the 2010-2011 Elementary Application Packet:
- Completed bachelor's degree;
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 90 quarter hours of graded undergraduate work and all work completed thereafter;
- Competence in subject matter as defined in Form B Subject Competency List (below);
- At least 60 hours successful experience in working with school-age children or youth at the early childhood/elementary level (preferably in a public school) verified by a recommendation or evaluation;
- Demonstrated effectiveness in oral and written communication;
- Sincere and appropriate desire to become a public school teacher and an understanding of the demands placed on a teacher;
- Satisfactory answers to "good conduct" questions as required by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC).
- See testing requirements below.
Application Materials
2010-2011 MAT Application Packet Downloadable application packet is available under Program Forms on the side bar.
Application Process Timeline
The 2010-2011 OSU-Cascades Elementary MAT and graduate admissions applications will be available Sept 8, 2009. Interviews for the 2010-2011 Elementary MAT cohort are expected to take place in the winter through early spring 2010, with acceptance/denial letters going out to students in early spring 2010. The final application deadline is Monday, February 15th, 2010 at 5:00pm.
Student Teaching
Student Teacher Profile to be completed by applicant for submission to school principals. Due to meredith.mason@osucascades edu in electronic format no later than Friday, March 10, 2010.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tests do I need to take?
Prior to entering the MAT program in June, all students must take and pass the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST) OR all three subtests of the PRAXIS PPST. In addition, the Oregon Educator Licensure Assessment Multiple Subjects Examination (ORELA MSE) Subtests I and II, and the ORELA Civil Rights exam are required. Copies of passing scores need to be received by the MAT program prior to June.
What do you mean by "cohort"?
The program is managed according to the "cohort-model" concept. This means that all students stay together for the duration of the program, take the same classes at the same time and, in effect, develop a coherent and cohesive learning community.
Do I need to finish all the prerequisite classes before I am admitted?
You are required to have taken the four education core classes before we recommend you for teacher licensure. These classes are Educational Psychology, Multicultural Issues, Foundation of Education, and Civil Rights. It is recommended that you take these classes before the program begins, but it is not required that you take them in order to be admitted to the program.
Do I need to show completion in all areas of the Form B before I am admitted?
You may be admissible to the program with a few courses missing from those required on Form B. However, a significant number of missing courses may result in your being denied an interview. Instead, we would recommend that you spend the next year or so working on this missing course work. Remember that once you are in the MAT program, you will be taking a full load of courses each term and picking up more than a few of the Form B classes will be difficult.
Can I do this program on a part-time basis?
The OSU-Cascades MAT program is only a full-time program.
What can I be doing now to prepare?
Students interested in preparing themselves for entrance into the MAT program should take the prerequisite classes listed above, complete testing requirements (see above), and complete at least 90 hours of successful experience working with school-age children or youth at the early childhood/elementary level.
How much does this program cost?
See tuition/fees for more information. Some additional costs associated with the program include the graduate application fee ($50), fingerprinting (approximately $72), and licensure ($200). The cost for books should also be budgeted into your planning with a cost that varies each term.
How can I learn more about the MAT program and the admission process?
Attending one of the MAT Information Sessions held in Cascades Hall on the OSU-Cascades campus is a good way to learn information about the program. The last information session was held on December 2nd, 2009. If this website does not answer all your questions please contact Jessica Buhrle at jessica.buhrle@osucascades.edu or call her at (541) 322-3118 for more information.
